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US20020030994A1 - Fuel cell powered portable light - Google Patents

Fuel cell powered portable light Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020030994A1
US20020030994A1 US09/826,042 US82604201A US2002030994A1 US 20020030994 A1 US20020030994 A1 US 20020030994A1 US 82604201 A US82604201 A US 82604201A US 2002030994 A1 US2002030994 A1 US 2002030994A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
light
light emitting
cell powered
portable fuel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/826,042
Inventor
Mark Krietzman
Fred Arbenz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/826,042 priority Critical patent/US20020030994A1/en
Publication of US20020030994A1 publication Critical patent/US20020030994A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21L—LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION
    • F21L4/00—Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
    • F21L4/08—Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21L—LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION
    • F21L13/00—Electric lighting devices with built-in electric generators
    • F21L13/06—Electric lighting devices with built-in electric generators with mechanical drive, e.g. spring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2101/00—Point-like light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • This present invention relates to a novel method combination of lighting and a unified regenerative fuel cell.
  • the addition of self-recharging mechanism and output limiting circuitry provide a novel light.
  • a fuel cell powered light or lantern, using reversible PEM membrane fuel cells can be charged by a solar panel, a windmill, handcrank and generator or off a homes A/C current. No hydrogen, methane, or butane to add.
  • a 1.5 to 9 volt fuel cell operates a pressures and temperatures safe for consumer use.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a component view of the portable fuel cell light.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the portable fuel cell light.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate schematic of the portable fuel cell light.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a component view of a first alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates a partial side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 4D illustrates a back view partial of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a component view of a second alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light.
  • FIG. 1 there illustrated in FIG. 1 there is illustrated a component view of the portable fuel cell light generally designated 10 .
  • a bisecting plate 14 into which mounts a light-emitting-diode 200 , which is connected to a fuel cell 100 , via a momentary switch 300 .
  • a parabolic dish 15 may be placed around the light-emitting-diode 200 to collimate the output.
  • a clear lens cover 16 is placed over the open front 12 and a removable end cap 17 is placed over the open rear.
  • a recharge “on/off” switch & plug 150 may be added to allow charging via battery, Windmill driven generator, a solar cell, an A/C current with converter, while encased.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 there are shown two schematic of the portable fuel cell light, generally designated 20 & 30 .
  • the fuel cell's 100 discharge rate may be controlled and the electricity available for illumination conserved by appropriate resistors 21 added to the circuit to limit current flow to the light-emitting-diode 200 .
  • the light-emitting-diode 200 use of current may be reduced by adding a pulse-rate controller 31 to strobe the light-emitting-diode 200 at a rate above the threshold of visual acuity.
  • FIGS. 4 A- 4 D there is illustrated a first alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light, generally designated 40 .
  • a small generator magnet/coil 41 type conductively connected to the fuel cell 100 , via the recharge “on/off” switch & plug 150 , and with a shaft 42 , extending through the removable end cap— 17 and affixed to a rubberized flywheel 43 .
  • FIG. 4B Shown in FIG. 4B is the spinning of the flywheel 43 by drawing it in an arc along the line of arrow 44 across the ground.
  • FIG. 4C and 4D is the hand crank 45 nested within the flywheel 44 which folds out and may be hand turned along the line of arrow 46 to turn the flywheel 43 .
  • the turning of the flywheel spins the small generator magnet/coil 41 and charges the fuel cell 100 .
  • FIG. 5 there is illustrated a second alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light, generally designated 50 .
  • a foot lever receiving mount 51 resting on a return spring 52 which connects to a small generator magnet/coil type 53 a foot lever 54 is inserted into the foot lever receiving mount 51 via a lever guide in the casing 55 whereby the up and down movement of the foot lever 54 causes the small generator magnet/coil type 53 to spin and charge the fuel cell 100 .
  • a foot lever is beneficial in that the human foot of a child can produce forces many times greater than the hand winding by a human adult.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A combination of an electrically powered portable light and a reuseable portable fuel cell provides a practical light source which may be operated by a plurality of alternative sources of electrical energy such as a battery, a generator, a solar cell, and an A/C current converter.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field Of The Invention: [0001]
  • This present invention relates to a novel method combination of lighting and a unified regenerative fuel cell. The addition of self-recharging mechanism and output limiting circuitry provide a novel light. [0002]
  • 2. Background: [0003]
  • A fuel cell powered light or lantern, using reversible PEM membrane fuel cells can be charged by a solar panel, a windmill, handcrank and generator or off a homes A/C current. No hydrogen, methane, or butane to add. [0004]
  • A 1.5 to 9 volt fuel cell operates a pressures and temperatures safe for consumer use. [0005]
    • SUMMARY OF INVENTION
  • Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel fuel cell powered portable light. [0006]
  • It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel wind-up fuel cell powered portable light. [0007]
  • It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel solar-cell charged fuel cell powered portable light. [0008]
  • It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel wind charged fuel cell powered portable light. [0009]
  • It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel foot charged fuel cell powered portable light. [0010]
  • It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel A/C current charged fuel cell powered portable light. [0011]
  • The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to configuration, and method of operation, and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.[0012]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a component view of the portable fuel cell light. [0013]
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the portable fuel cell light. [0014]
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate schematic of the portable fuel cell light. [0015]
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a component view of a first alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light. [0016]
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A. [0017]
  • FIG. 4C illustrates a partial side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A. [0018]
  • FIG. 4D illustrates a back view partial of the embodiment of FIG. 4A. [0019]
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a component view of a second alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light. [0020]
    • MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
  • Referring now to the drawings, there illustrated in FIG. 1 there is illustrated a component view of the portable fuel cell light generally designated [0021] 10.
  • Within a [0022] tubular casing 11, with an open front 12 and rear 13 is a bisecting plate 14 into which mounts a light-emitting-diode 200, which is connected to a fuel cell 100, via a momentary switch 300.
  • A [0023] parabolic dish 15 may be placed around the light-emitting-diode 200 to collimate the output. A clear lens cover 16 is placed over the open front 12 and a removable end cap 17 is placed over the open rear.
  • To recharge the [0024] fuel cell 100, it may be removed from the casing 11 and charged; or a recharge “on/off” switch & plug 150 may be added to allow charging via battery, Windmill driven generator, a solar cell, an A/C current with converter, while encased.
  • Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there are shown two schematic of the portable fuel cell light, generally designated [0025] 20 & 30.
  • The fuel cell's [0026] 100 discharge rate may be controlled and the electricity available for illumination conserved by appropriate resistors 21 added to the circuit to limit current flow to the light-emitting-diode 200. Alternatively the light-emitting-diode 200 use of current may be reduced by adding a pulse-rate controller 31 to strobe the light-emitting-diode 200 at a rate above the threshold of visual acuity.
  • Referring now to FIGS. [0027] 4A-4D there is illustrated a first alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light, generally designated 40.
  • Added to the portable fuel cell light of FIG. 1 generally designated [0028] 10, is a small generator magnet/coil 41 type conductively connected to the fuel cell 100, via the recharge “on/off” switch & plug 150, and with a shaft 42, extending through the removable end cap—17 and affixed to a rubberized flywheel 43. Shown in FIG. 4B is the spinning of the flywheel 43 by drawing it in an arc along the line of arrow 44 across the ground. Shown in FIG. 4C and 4D is the hand crank 45 nested within the flywheel 44 which folds out and may be hand turned along the line of arrow 46 to turn the flywheel 43. The turning of the flywheel spins the small generator magnet/coil 41 and charges the fuel cell 100.
  • Referring now to FIG. 5 there is illustrated a second alternate embodiment of the portable fuel cell light, generally designated [0029] 50.
  • Added to the portable fuel cell light of FIG. 1 generally designated [0030] 10, inside the casing 11 is a foot lever receiving mount 51 resting on a return spring 52 which connects to a small generator magnet/coil type 53 a foot lever 54 is inserted into the foot lever receiving mount 51 via a lever guide in the casing 55 whereby the up and down movement of the foot lever 54 causes the small generator magnet/coil type 53 to spin and charge the fuel cell 100. A foot lever is beneficial in that the human foot of a child can produce forces many times greater than the hand winding by a human adult.
  • Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description, as shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be interpreted in an illustrative, and not a limiting sense. [0031]

Claims (19)

What is claimed is:
1. A portable fuel cell powered light comprising:
(a) a casing;
(b) a fuel cell;
(c) a light emitting means conductively linked to said fuel cell; and,
(d) a switching means.
2. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 1, wherein said switching means is a momentary switch.
3. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 1, wherein said switching means is on/off switch.
4. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 1, wherein said switching means is variable resistance switch.
5. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means is a light-emitting diode.
6. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means is a light bulb.
7. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 5, further comprising a parabolic reflecting dish placed around said light emitting means to collimate the output from said light emitting means.
8. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 1, further comprising a recharge on/off switch with plug-in affixed through said casing and conductively linked to said fuel cell.
9. A portable fuel cell powered light comprising:
(a) a casing;
(b) a fuel cell;
(c) a light emitting means conductively linked to said fuel cell;
(d) a recharging means;
(e) a first witching means, whereby said light emitting means is switched on; and
(f) a second switching means whereby said fuel cell may be conductively linked to said recharging means.
10. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said light emitting means is a light-emitting diode.
11. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said light emitting means is a light bulb.
12. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, further comprising a parabolic reflecting dish placed around said light emitting means to collimate the output from said light emitting means.
12. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said recharging means is a magnet/coil generator attached to a flywheel.
13. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said recharging means is a magnet/coil generator attached to a foot lever.
14. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said recharging means is a solar panel.
15. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said recharging means is an external battery.
16. The portable fuel cell powered light according to claim 9, wherein said recharging means is a windmill driven generator battery.
17. A portable fuel cell powered light comprising:
(a) a casing;
(b) a fuel cell;
(c) a light emitting means conductively linked to said fuel cell;
(d) a switching means; and,
(e) a current limiting means, whereby said light emitting means current draw from said fuel cell is controlled.
18. A portable fuel cell powered light comprising:
(a) a casing;
(b) a fuel cell;
(c) a light emitting means conductively linked to said fuel cell;
(d) a switching means; and,
(e) a pulsing controller whereby said light emitting means pulse rate is controlled thereby reducing current draw from said fuel cell.
US09/826,042 2000-04-04 2001-04-03 Fuel cell powered portable light Abandoned US20020030994A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/826,042 US20020030994A1 (en) 2000-04-04 2001-04-03 Fuel cell powered portable light

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19463800P 2000-04-04 2000-04-04
US09/826,042 US20020030994A1 (en) 2000-04-04 2001-04-03 Fuel cell powered portable light

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6685334B2 (en) * 2002-04-30 2004-02-03 G-5 Electronics System and method of power management for a solar powered device
WO2004084981A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2004-10-07 Nutec Medical Limited Portable resuscitation system
US20050225968A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-13 Hatherill Richard A Work light
US20070030671A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-08 Rsga International, Inc. Renewable energy flashlight
US20080125749A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-05-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Self-powered medical devices
CN101625072A (en) * 2009-04-04 2010-01-13 无锡硕恩自动化科技有限公司 Illuminating device with lithium ion battery applied on solar photovoltaic torch
CN101701667A (en) * 2009-11-13 2010-05-05 许巧智 Torch
US20100107627A1 (en) * 2008-11-06 2010-05-06 Eric Andres MORGAN Buoyancy energy storage and energy generation system
CN104791693A (en) * 2015-03-23 2015-07-22 安徽兆利光电科技有限公司 LED lamp with sunlight-sensing brightness adjusting function
US20160375946A1 (en) * 2014-06-27 2016-12-29 Melvin White, JR. Backpack for motorcyclists

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6685334B2 (en) * 2002-04-30 2004-02-03 G-5 Electronics System and method of power management for a solar powered device
WO2004084981A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2004-10-07 Nutec Medical Limited Portable resuscitation system
US20050225968A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-13 Hatherill Richard A Work light
US7234833B2 (en) * 2004-03-31 2007-06-26 Richard Anthony Hatherill Work light
US7404651B2 (en) 2005-08-08 2008-07-29 Rsga International, Inc. Renewable energy flashlight
US20070030671A1 (en) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-08 Rsga International, Inc. Renewable energy flashlight
US7232238B2 (en) 2005-08-08 2007-06-19 Rsga International, Inc. Renewable energy flashlight
US20080125749A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2008-05-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Self-powered medical devices
US20100107627A1 (en) * 2008-11-06 2010-05-06 Eric Andres MORGAN Buoyancy energy storage and energy generation system
CN101625072A (en) * 2009-04-04 2010-01-13 无锡硕恩自动化科技有限公司 Illuminating device with lithium ion battery applied on solar photovoltaic torch
CN101701667A (en) * 2009-11-13 2010-05-05 许巧智 Torch
US20160375946A1 (en) * 2014-06-27 2016-12-29 Melvin White, JR. Backpack for motorcyclists
US9862443B2 (en) * 2014-06-27 2018-01-09 Melvin White, JR. Backpack for motorcyclists
CN104791693A (en) * 2015-03-23 2015-07-22 安徽兆利光电科技有限公司 LED lamp with sunlight-sensing brightness adjusting function

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